Two Hezbollah Operatives Caught With 800kg of Explosives in Lebanon

Two Hezbollah operatives were apprehended at a checkpoint in Lebanon en route to Beirut with approximately 800 kilograms of powerful explosives in their vehicle, according to a Lebanese report from Saturday. The detainees stated that the explosives were being transported in a Honda vehicle to a location in the mountainous Baalbek region. They claimed a Hezbollah commander instructed them to deliver the cargo to the Dahieh district via a caravan and hand it over to another individual.

The seized shipment reportedly contained 216 kg of C-4 and 281 kg of Tetryl, described as potent explosives intended for military use and building demolition. The remainder of the cargo included nails and smaller explosive devices, presumably to increase casualties. The report also noted this was the first time security forces had encountered explosives of this nature.

The two suspects and the explosives were transferred to the Lebanese army's military police for further investigation. A Lebanese legal source told the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat that the government commissioner at the military court reviewed the initial investigation reports and returned them to the military police, demanding a deeper inquiry to verify the information provided by the suspects. Investigators are working to determine the final destination and purpose of the explosives.

A Lebanese diplomatic source called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice, stating that the incident proves the state's capability to prevent threats to public safety and Lebanese security. The source emphasized the need for a swift and serious investigation to uncover all involved parties, planners, and executors, highlighting the severity of the incident and what could have happened had the vehicle reached its destination.

This event occurs against the backdrop of efforts by the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah, following an August ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon aimed at halting the war with Hezbollah and disarming the organization in exchange for a gradual IDF withdrawal.